Filner recall claims 37,517 signatures

Total was gathered in less than six days before recall ended with former mayor's resignation

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner speaks after agreeing to resign at a city council meeting Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, in San Diego. Filner agreed to resign on Aug. 30, bowing to enormous pressure after lurid sexual harassment allegations brought by at least 17 women eroded his support after just nine months on the job.
— Nelvin C. Cepeda

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner speaks after agreeing to resign at a city council meeting Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, in San Diego. Filner agreed to resign on Aug. 30, bowing to enormous pressure after lurid sexual harassment allegations brought by at least 17 women eroded his support after just nine months on the job.
— Nelvin C. Cepeda

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO  Organizers of the recall election to remove former Mayor Bob Filner from office said Friday that they gathered 37,517 signatures in less than six days.

The signatures were collected between Aug. 18 and Aug. 23, the latter date the day the city announced it had reached an agreement with Filner for his resignation.

“This high number of signatures, gathered in less than a week, illustrates the overwhelming public support for the recall and the high number of committed volunteers mobilized to lead the petition drive,” said Mike Pallamary, chairman of the Recall Bob Filner campaign.

The signature drive ended with Filner’s resignation that was effective Aug. 30. The former mayor agreed to step down after more than 20 women accused him of sexual harassment or lewd comments, resigning after the City Council agreed to cover a portion of his legal expenses stemming from a sexual harassment lawsuit against him and the city by one of his top aides.

The recall campaign said its final total came after gathering up all the recall petitions that were circulated by volunteers. The total represents more than a third of the 101,597 signatures necessary to qualify the recall for the ballot.

The recall committee said it will begin issuing refund checks to contributors this week. The effort raised a little more than $90,000 and spent approximately $50,000.

After paying final expenses, approximately $40,000 will be returned to donors who contributed more than $50.

Those who receive refunds will have until Sept. 30 to cash their checks. After that, the committee will close and a final accounting will be provided, organizers said.

A special election to select a mayor to serve the more than three years remaining on Filner's term takes place Nov. 19.